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Posts Tagged ‘sugar beets’

Opposing Groups File Complaint Against USDA

Thursday, October 7th, 2010


Photo courtesy of Really Natural

Following the United States Department of Agriculture’s decision to allow limited plantings of altered sugar beet seeds, opposing groups have filed a lawsuit against the USDA.

Reuters reports a claim was filed because, “the USDA’s decision violates an August court ruling that prohibited future plantings of genetically modified sugar beets.” According to the complaint the USDA issued permits for sugar beet seeds that are not allowed to flower.

Plaintiffs, including the Center for Food and the Sierra Club, argue that these seeds could still contaminate neighboring fields. These groups want the court to forbid any planting of modified sugar beet seeds and plants.

The USDA issued the permits after announcing it would take two years to create new regulations based on the overall ban from the U.S. District Court. Sugar beets are important to a number of state’s economic structure and are attributed to half of the U.S. sugar supply.

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Judge Rules in Favor of Consumers

Friday, October 30th, 2009

A federal judge in Colorado overturned the USDA’s approval of genetically engineered sugar beets that cause upset in Boulder County this year.

Judge Jeffrey White said the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service didn’t take a “hard look” into whether the sugar beets, that are engineered to resist weed killer, would share genes with other crops. He feels this violates environmental laws.

90 percent of this year’s crops are considered these “Roundup Ready” beets. Many consumers are concerned for the safety of eating these beets as well as the safety of eating other crops grown within its means.

The Food and Agriculture Policy Council took the concerns into their hands last December and have been researching the issue since. In August the county commissioners decided to wait to vote on the issue and are happy they did so.

“The judge’s ruling “makes me glad we didn’t make a decision on this,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said. “I would think that we want to let the courts and federal government sort through this before we make a decision on sugar beets.”
With new technology emerging genetically modified food is a growing concern for consumers.

Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.

Sugar Beets are Sweet Crops

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Montana sugar beet growers are looking forward to a large crop.

Estimates show that prices will be near $50 a ton, the highest it has been in 28 years. This is partially due to the world’s current sugar shortage.

The Western Sugar Cooperative believes farmers will yield an average of 31 tons per acre.  Although sugar beet farmers are expected to rise above the average numbers, 60 percent of farmers in Colorado and Nebraska are not expected to fair as well with crops damaged from hail.

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